Fabric pressing apparatus



April 9,1946. l J. PRESTON 2,398,325

FABRIC PRESSING APPARATUS 5 sheet'sfsheet 2 Filed oct. 24, 1941 8 v' i l VlNvI-:NToR I i3J\(!)HN` E. PRESTON` ATroRNEYs April 9, A1946. J. 14:. PRESTON FABRIC PRESSING APPARAT-US Filed oct. 24, 1941 lNvENToR QHN E. PRESTON' f f ATroRNEYs April 9,1946. .1.5.- PRESTON FABRIC BREssING APPARATUS 5 sheets-sheet 4 l Filed oct; 24, V1941 lV L FIGQ- 8 H Fla-71o INVENTOR JOHN E. PRESTON BY #All MM A'l'l'ORNEY` APrl9, 1946. J. E. PREsToN- Y l 2,398,325."

` *Y FABRIC PRESSl-NQ APPARATUS Filed oct. 24, 1941 5 sneeis-sneet 5 INVETOR -BJ9HN E. PRESTON l A'ITORNEYS Patented Apr. 9, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y l i 2,598,1125V FABRIC PnEssING APPARATUS 'John' E. Preston, Cincinnati, Ohio, assgnor to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Norwood,.0hio, alcorporation of Ohio Application october 24, 1941,ser'ialnof41gi3s3 17 Claims.

The invention relates ,to automatic continuous pressing machinery of the conveyortype. It relates-particularly to novel and improvedcontrol mechanism for iiatwork ironing machinery wherein conveying meansmoves work pieces into andout of registry with coacting pressing elements which are adapted to engage the work for a predetermined period, while said work is positioned on the conveyor.

The apparatus is especially adapted forironing handkerchiefs, napkins, orpieces of that general nature. It includes an endless conveyor, hereinafter termed an apron, one run of which `passes between they pressingelements. Means are provided for maintaining ,the .apron at rest` during the pressing period, thereby permitting the operator to 'arrange the work forthe next succeeding pressingfoperation. Furth'er means are provided, associated' with said apron, for initiating Arelative movement ofthe pressing elements into pressing relationship, and, further, for controlling the period of the pressing operation. 1

The apparatus is furtherprovided with means for separating the pressing elements at `theter-` mination of said pressing operation and thereafter advancing the apron a predetermined amount to' clear the finished work from between the pressing members and to carry the next lay of work' to registration therebetween, saidV lay having been previouslyarranged as aforesaid by theoperator.` u l A .i

I have further provided means whereby, on completion of a pressing operation and .separation of the pressing elements-the automatic advance of the apron is temporarily prevented if the operator is still arranging the next` lay.

I have further provided, for said apron, 'drivl ing means designed to reduce or eliminate apron stretch which has heretofore vbeen encountered as a result of the usual driving systems where th'e apron passed over a powereddrivingroll.

I have further provided `means for maintaining an eventension onthe apron, said means being simultaneouslydesigned to afford arbacking support to that portion of .the apron upon which the operator arranges the lay next to Vbe ironed.

I have further provided means whereby; immediately after the pressing operation,each succes-- sive layof ironed materialfis carried to a position where itis subjected to an after-drying, effect produced by the heat from the ironing elements',

the after-drying effect being `coincident with the period of the succeeding ironingoperationr I have also. provided, inv conjunction Awith spaced electrical conducting elements carried by said apron, electronic relay circuits sensitive to said conducting elements, and power operated means operatively responsive to said electronic relay circuitsfor determining the timeof inceptionV of a pressing operation and controlling the length of the pressing period. I have further provided said apron with a plurality of conducting and non-conducting segments following each other in predetermined, spaced sequence, whereby one complete passage of the apron between th'e coasting pressing surfaces may involve a plurality of pressing cycles. In the device illustrated in the attached drawings, and hereinafter described, the complete apron is provided with four equally spacedconducting zones, the passage of each between registered contacts serving to complete associated electronic tube circuitsgto initiate and control a pressing operation as. aforesaid, with the result that one complete round trip of a point on the apron back to original position involves four successive pressing operations.

My invention also contemplates the provision of operator operated controls whereby a pressing operation may be terminated at any time desired by the operator, regardless of the position of any of the Vautomatic control elements herein described.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of thepress apparatus, the operators working position being at the right of the drawing.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 4 showing the electrical conducting portion of the apron in position between an ^upper conducting plate and" a lower conducting finger.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l, some parts being broken away to show internal construction. A

Figrl is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section, partially broken away, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a` section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentalplanview of a part of the apron showing the metal lacing which functions as an electrical conducting portion of the apronw, t

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the pressure fluid operating mechanism and air circuits.

Fig. 9 is a diagram of the electrical c ontrolcir-V cuitsincluding the electronic tube circuits. Fig. 10is a fragmentary plan view, similar to Fig. '7, but showing a control belt spaced from the apron.

Before proceeding to a more detailed description I may state, in general, that the ironing or pressing machine herein disclosed comprises two coacting pressing elements, either or both of which may be heated by any convenient means.

These pressing elements are supported by a frame,

structure, andV suitable' power means is provided for moving the elements into and out of pressing engagement, one of the elements being, in the present instance, a stationary chest and one a movable buck. The upper run of a continuous apron passes between the pressingmembers and extends therebeyond a su'icient distance, upon suitable supporting means, to provide the operator with a convenient apronlarea upon which to arrange the pieces next to be pressed. The

lower run of the continuous apron is maintained in frictional contact with one or more endless driving ribbons which Passover a driving roll. Froid previous experienceit has been determined that a direct drive appliedto the apron itself results in a tendency, increasing with time, to permanently stretchy the apron, thus necessitating continuous readjustinent of the apron length. In the present design it is only necessary to maintain the` driving ribbons under constant tension.

VThe apron' in the embodiment herein disclosed is assembled from four end-to-end sections united belt connecting' means at the abutting ends, said means being largely metallic so as to v'constitute electrical conductors. At a convenient locanon in the path of travei of the apron two oleof tri'cal contact members are provided. one above and one below the apron and in frictional contact therewith, so that when apron travel carries thesaid metallic l'portion of the apron between the contacts a circuit is established which controls the time 0f iriitati'onof Operative Contact b'etween the pressing members. In the present einbodiment it is apparent that this occurs four times in a round trip of the apron.

the movable 'pressing unit advances "to pressing position a control member associated there'- with temporarily interrupts the apron drive, said drive thereafter remaining inoperative on the apron untilthe pressingoperation is completed. 'Ifhle apronfthen advances'until the next conducting area passes between the 'contacts to Vthereby initiate the next pressing operation, thearticles already Dressed being advanced by th belt to an a'fterf'drying position, aswill appear.

A k The actual/duration of the pressing operation is automatically timed by a sensitive 'and accurate electronicrtiming and relay device which energizejs for deenergizes power means vfor instituting or terminating the pressing operation, the apron drive being rendered temporarily inoperative during the pressing operation, as aforesaid.

General construction Thegeneral framework of the machine cornprises four 'standards 'or legs 150, suitably tied 'together by rods I2. At the top of each leg there is a extending bracket 1I, the four vbrackets forining 'a supporting means 'for Ya spiderlike bracket I3 which supports a 'uid-motor '28. The brackets I I and each branch member of the motor sup'- porting bracket I3 are bored out to Fre'ceiverods or posts I4. The lower ends of the posts are vof reduced fdiameterto form 'a shoulder which Aengages the'top'f-ac of each of the branches of the motor supporting bracket lf3. The lower ends fare threaded and a nut I5 is provided to securely anchor the posts I4 to the said bracket.

'Ihe posts I4, so arranged, form a support for the ironing chest I6. To support this chest, the upper ends of the posts are of reduced diameter to form a shoulder upon which the chest rests and the upper ends are threaded and provided withfnuts 2I to securely anchor the chest on the posts.v .v g ,Y

The buck member I 8 lies beneath the chest and isy movable relative thereto by means of sleeves I9 slidable on said posts and forming an integral part kof the buck casting.

y A yoke member 22, is secured, at each end, to the lunderside of the buck by means of bracket extensionsvZ, as, shown in Figs. l and 3. This yoke member is formed at the center to provide a post or abutment 23 which is adapted to be engaged by the piston rod 29 of the pressure producing uid motor 28 to move the buck into pres- SureengaeIiient with the chest. The' yoke member 2.2 is recessed', as shown at 21 in Figs. l and 5r to receive' a bar 30 which extends the full .length of the yoke and beyond each end as shown in Fig. 3 and is supported by a 'rod- 32 at each end, the bar resting on collars 33 pinned'to said rods. These rods, in turn, are 'supported by bracket extensions I-'I of the chest to which they are pinned, and acompression spring' 3l .is interposed between the bracket extensions and the bar to nornially bias it downwardly against the collars 33. As shown iii -1 and 3, in the normal open position oi' the buck,- there is a clearance between the lower face of the bar and the upper face of the yoke member providing a space through wl'ifch the lower run of a fset of ribbons 34 is free to 'rnve 'when the buck is in Open position. The upper f'ace' of the yoke Vnieinbezr is provided with ."a series of -ndes 24 which act as guides for the ribbons 34. When the fluid motor is energized to move the' buck into pressure engagement with the chest, the bar 3B remains stationary during the '-st'ioremehtof this movement s0 that the clearance between the bar and the yoke member is thereby closed.l When' the `s'pacze is fully closed 'a pressure is 'applied between the bar and the face of the "yoke member to hold the ribbons' against movement. In the 'further movement of the yoke and buckunit into engagement 'with the chest, the' barmove's with the said unit as permitted by compression of the springs 3l.

The yoke 22 is also `provided with an abutment-25 which in its loweifmost` position contacts the stem 36 of an air valve 35. As shown in Fig. this valve is 4a combination inlet and exhaust valveaiifdfivhen the buck is .in 'the lower or open position, itis normally held by abutment 25 in an inleteop'en eithaust-#olo'sed position. This valve, as will lbe later "described in vmore detail, controls the 4'drive v.for ythe,frilibor'is 34. The first increment of upward movement of the'buck permits this Valve toolos', andthe timing, relative to the holdingeifect of the "bar 310 `on the ribbons, is such that Athe drive for thelribbons is disconnected simultaneously 'or slightly before the Iribbons are grppel'bbtween the .'oke 212 fand the bar l3l).

Y The bubk ils .provided with the usual padding T4 (see Figf). "Bhe )padding arrangement comprises fa metal `plat-ie 15' which fcovers fthe buck.

plate extends beyond the iside edges of the buck land fss'upported byfangle'brackets 16. iSecured in 'the *extending edges fof the said plate are o, number @protruding :pointed fsorews 3.1. Thepaldihgjis placd v p the metal plate and the ov fclth placed 'thereover'and Ttle fside edges pushed down over the pointed screws 11 and a bar 1| is lthen placed over the said screwsl on top of these edges of the cover, and nuts 18 are supplied to' hold the bars and the cover securely in position. e y

A bracket member 31 (Fig. l) `is `fixed to the top of each of the front legs I0. These brackets cooperate to support the rear edge of a table 38 which extends forwardly and is inclined downwardly and is supported at its front edge vby a pairof brackets 40, which, in turn, are mounted on a pair of bracket armsy 42 secured respectively to the front side of two frontle'gs l0. The side edges of this table extend downwardly in the iforni of flanges 39 which are adapted to support a con,

ducting plate 43. It also supports a bracket 44 whichA is adapted inmturn tosupport a pairof" conducting ngers 45, the function` of whichfwill be described later in more detail. l 1.

Numeral l designates alight gauge spring steel plate which is substantially the dimensions Vof the inclined table; This plate is 'secured to the framework against the table at "the fupp'erend thereoff as shown. It extends -forwardly andis turned downwardly at 4I^alongit`sfforward -edge so that,'when" the plate is-fle'xeddownwardly, Tit' extends over the front-downwardly extending flangev of the saidV table".` Normally this plate would extend substantially lhorizontally from its fixed point, but when the conveyorapron', to -be described below, is inposition this "plate is: flexed downwardly 'producing a biasing pressure: from within, and against the endless apron, which tends to maintain the apron taut, In other words, the plate functions as an apron take-up device.

Conoeyor aprzmv and 'its :ribbon `alrite The conveyor apron and drive arrangement, now to be described, is of a vtype which reduces apron stretching to a minimum. In spite of this, there is always a small amount of apron stretch whichtakes place during the lifetof anuapron.v

The said plate by reason-of its biasing: pressure t ,Numeral 59v Vdesignates,generally an `article as aforesaidY providesa take-upxdeviceforthis t stretch. It also serves in thebeginningwhen a new apron is applied, to.. provide a substantially constant tautness. 1

- Numeral 46 designates a wide conveyor `belt or. apron, the upper runA of which moves over the take-up plate 5l over table 38 and over the top surface of the buck I8 and is guided around the rear edgeof the buck by a smooth curved .ange plate` 48 supportedbythebuck.V If desired an idlerroll may be substituted for plate148., The lower run extends forwardly below the buck and over a roll 49 journalled in the brackets 31 and thence forwardly beneath the table 38 and between the conducting .flng'ers45 and the conducting ,pla-te. 43 and around a'y roll 50 journalled in the brackets 40. This apron serves as a conveyor for the article to be pressed. Suchan article is` dressed on the apron over the plate 5I and table ,33. and thence is conveyed by the apron to position over the buck whence, by operation of the buck as aforesaid, it is moved upwardly into, engagement with the chest, and pressure is applied-to iron it:

VThe apron 46 is made up of a number of sec,- tions, and these sections are attached in a contnuous` strip by metal lacings 41 to form aA conveyor., "The metal lacing 41 functions` as a Apart of the control circuit inlassociation with the con-. ducting. plate V43` and the conducting ingersY 45,` said plate and fingers being in, irictional ,contact respectively with the `upperand lower apron surface as will be later described.;I 1 I, i

The upper run of theribbons 34, previously referred to, is in direct contact with the lower run of the said apron. These ribbons run over a driving roll 52 and thence 4under an idler roll 53 journalled in a pair of brackets 54, fixed respectively tothe top. ofeach of the rear legs lll, and extend forwardly; -through the previously referred to clearance'space between the bar 30 and the yoke member 22, thence around an idler roll 55, over a roll 56 journalled in the brackets 40, and thence into contact with the apron 45 and around the roll and over the'xroll-49 to the drive roll 52. The supporting arms 51 for idler roll 5 5 are respectively pivotally supported on the brackets 40 and are provided With an adjusting screw and nut 58. It willbe noted-.that movement ofthe apron is accomplished solely through its `frictional contact with. the driving ribbons.

clampingghar.. As shown in Fiss.` 1 and 4,. this comprisesapair; of arms 60 which are pvotally connected, respectively, to the chest casting at each side thereof and they are connected at their front by the, bar member 62 which supports a holding strip 6l preferably madeA of Bakelite, hard rubber or` likercomposition, This clamping, bar unit is connected byarod-BS with a foot pedal generally designated 64. VThe foot pedal comprises a pair of arms E5 connected, respectively, to each front leg., TlieseV are connected at the front by a foot plate 65. .The right arm has an upward extension 6.1, the top end of; whichis bored to receive a rod 69 which is threaded at its one end and provided witha nut 10. The other endof, the rod Vis connected `to a spring 12, the rear end of which is anchored to a stud 8l in one of the cross rods I2.A IThis constitutes the biasing means to holdthe pedal and-clamp in idleposition. The upright S1 is provided with an extension 68 which is fadaptedtdactuate acombination air valve 13 supported,v by-r the right leg. This air valve as will appear is also in the air` circuit controlling the ribbon driving-mechanism, andpas shown in Fig. 8, is in series with the valve 35.

The purpose ofthe clamp is to hold the article in position while it is being smoothed off in a dressing operation. These parts are all arranged relative to the movement of the pedal so that the valve 13, which is normally held open to transmit fluid pressure therethrough when the pedal is inthe idle, spring biased position, is closed immediately prior to the clamping member reachingengagement with thearticle when the pedal is depressed. When the `pedal is released the clamp is completely removed from the article prior to thereopening of the valve and apron movement istherefore unobstructed before'the driving mechanism is connected. This function is also associated, with the operation of the machine as will b e later described in more detail.

As already disclosed the apron drive is accomplished by frictional contact between the lower run-of the apron and the upper runiof a plurality of driven ribbons 34.V `Ingeneral, this drive embodies a continuously running electric motor` between which and theribbon drive roll is intermittently stop and advance the article conveying apron.` respectively inA synchronism with theen`v gagement and disengagement of ithechest and:

. of ,the machine.

buck, said operations being automatically controlled, as will be described later.

Clutch control for ribbon drive The electric motor 19 (Fig. l) is supported by the framework. This motor is belted to one pulley 80 of a double pulley unit which is supported for rotation in a. bracket 82 fixed to the framework. The other pulley v|33 is belted to a pulley 84 (Figs. 1 and 3) mounted for free rotation on a shaft 85 supported Vfor rotation by brackets 54. The driving roll 52 is fixed to this shaft. A friction disk 86 (see Fig. 3) is keyed to the shaft and is adapted to cooperate as a clutch element with a side face of thepulley 84. Freely mounted on the hub of the disk 86 is a circular plate 81 which is anchored against rotative movement by a link 89, see Figs. 1 and 3,which is connected between the plate 81 and the framework posed between the plate 81 and the outer face ofthe 'disk 86 as shown nFig. 3. Associated with the plate 81 is another plate 92 which is freely Y mounted on the shaft. It is held against longitudinal movement on the shaft by a collar 93 and a thrust bearing 94, and it is held against 'rotative movement by pins 95 which are xed in the plate 81 and extend through holes in the rplate 92. Fixed to the workingface of the plate 81 is a diaphragm 36. This is cut out at the center and sealed to the plate 81 around this central hole and also around the outer circumferential edge. Thus the area between these edges forms a diaphragm chamber which is connected with a source of pressure fluidv through a cored Vpassage `|38 in the plate 81. communicates with the valve 35V through conduit H6.

When the diaphragm chamber :is supplied with pressure fluid its expansion, working against the plate 92, moves plate 81 to the right (Fig. 3) causing thefriction disk to Vcontact. with l the pulley'face and exerting pressure which acts as a clutching `means to place the driving pulley 84 and the shaft 85 in cooperative engagement. Through this shaft and the roll 52,motion is imparted to the ribbons, and from the ribbons to the apron. Evacuation of the diaphragm is suicient to cause release of yclutching engagement.

` PressureY ,fluid circuits Referring to Fig.' 8, therefare two separate `fluid circuits, one furnishing'power to the pressure motor 28'and`the other to the apron driving clutchBG.

In the first the fluid supply line is connected through a conduit |02, a needle valve |03, and a conduit |04 to a combination valve |05. This valve is normally idle, or closed, but when actuated by a solenoid |01 it supplies pressure fluid through conduit |06 to the fluid motor 28. The armature of solenoidf |01 is connected to a lever |08 which is pivoted in a bracket |09 and is-provided with a spring pressed plunger` I I0 for abutment with the stem of the valve |05. Y

In the other fluid circuit the supply |00 is connected through a conduit I2, a pressure regulator ||3 anda conduit ||4 to the Yintake side of a combination valve 13. The delivery side'of this Y valve is connectedv through a conduit ||5 to 'the intake side of the combination valve 35, and the delivery side of valve 35 is connected throughV conduitI I6 tothe diaphragm 96 of the air clutch. These two circuits are associated in the operation of the machine as'follows: Y

A thrust bearing 90 is inter-V Y the solenoid |01.

assenze It will be assumed that the 'apron is moving, in which case, since both of the valves 35 and 13 are in series, they are open and air pressure is being supplied tothe clutch producing a drive connection. When the solenoid |01 is energized by means to be later described to cause a pressure applying operation of the pressure motor 28, the first increment movement of the piston of the motor causes the abutment 25 to be elevated away from the stem of the valve 35, permitting the valve to close. This shuts olf the supply and exhaustsV the operating diaphragm of the air clutch and the drive for the apron is disconnected. A second method of exhausting the clutch diaphragm is vachieved by operation of the foot pedal 64 which permits spring actuated closure of valve 13, thereby-interrupting the fluid pressure which normally maintains the clutch in engagement.

`Electrical circuits As previously stated, the application of pressure is automatically 4and synchronously controlled with relation to the spron advance. Movement of the buck to and from pressure engagement controls the movement of the conveying apron as previously described, and in turn, the movement of the apron periodically energizes electrical circuits to control the operation of the pressure fluid motor for pressure application. This control will now be described, with special reference to Fig. 9.

This control is effected through energization of It is of electronic form and embodies a time delay circuit. In general, it comprises two electronic tubes I 8 and I I9 having associated therewith conventional plate and grid circuits. For illustration purposes, these are shown as three-element separate heater alternating current tubes, although it should be understood that certain gas filled four-element tubes will be suitable. Although in practice, Va single transformer may be. used, for convenience in illustration, separate' transformers `|20 and |24 K are providedfone for each tube circuit. The primaries of these transformers are supplied with line voltage from L1 and L2.

The circuit for the plate |218 of the tube ||8 is supplied with current from the secondary Winding |22 of the transformer |20 by the conductor |29, the relay |30 and the conductor |32. The cathode heating filament |33, as diagrammatically shown, is supplied with current from the secondary |23 of the transformer |20.

The grid |34 is biased with respect to the cathode |35 and the terminal |36 of the platecircuit by a standard voltage-droprgrid bias resistor |31. This resistor controls the spaceV current cut-off point of the tube and the tube, thus biased, passes plate current so as to energize relay 30 which holds the armature |38 in the position A. This is a normal condition, whenthe work carrying belt is moving.

The circuit for the plate |39 'of the tube IIB is supplied with current from the secondary |25 standard voltage drop gridbias resistor- I 49. This resistor controls the space current cut-01T point of the tube and the tube,"thus biased, passes plate current which energizes the rel'ay |43 thereby holding the armature |50'in the position k"A.

asasat This, again, is the 'normal condition, when the work carrying belt is moving.

In the above arrangement the tube ||9 and associated circuits function as a standard electronic switch which picks up an impulse, produced as the metal lacing of the conveyor apron completes a supplementary grid circuit bypassing between the conducting elements 43 and 45, and relays it for controlling the operation of the second tube H8 which, through changes in the effects in its plate circuit, functions to produce theactual controlling operation of the machine.

The conducting elements, fingers 45 and plate 43, are connected in a circuit to which current is supplied from the secondary |21 by conductor |52, conductor |53, resistor |54 and conductor |55. When the metal lacing, in its passage, contacts 43 and 45, a supplementary bias is imposed on the grid |46. The potential originating in the secondary |21 is `impressed onv the grid through conductor. |52, conducting elements 45, 41, 43, conductor |53 and resistor |49. This added potential over-biases the grid or, in other words, causes itspotential to pass beyond the space current cut-.off` point, blocking the flow of plate current, which causes the relay |43 to be cie-energized andarmature |50 to move to position B. This is of short duration due to the movement of the lacing 41 which coasts past contacting position. But, during the short interval while the lacing 41 closes the circuit and armature |50 is in position B, two effects are produced. First, a circuit is closed from rectifier |86 by way of conductor |56, armature |50, 'conductors |60 and |62, rheostat |63, resistors |65 and |31 tothe grid |34, and fromthe cathode |35 by wire |59 back to the rectifier. This circuit changes the potential of the grid, adjusting itY beyond the space current 'cut-01T point, blocking the, fiow of plate current and causing the relay to be de-energized, so that armature |38 moves to` position BfConsequently, theV circuit through coil v|01 is completed, andthe press begins to close.

The effect upon the relay |30 is maintained by a second circuit which is simultaneously produced by the operation of the armature |50. 'This circuit is from `the rectifier |86 by conductor |56, armature- |50, conductor |60, condenser '|66 to grid |34 and back to the rectier by way of the cathode |35 and conductor |59, as before. This circuit, .when closed,.has the immediate eiiect of charging Lcondenser |66. Thus, when the lacing passes the contacts 43, 45, opening the original circuit including those contacts, and causing armature |50 to move back to position A, the potential applied to the grid |34, now at a'value beyond the space current cut-off point, is maintained by the potential of condenser |66exercised through `a circuit from one side of said condenser to the grid and fromthe other side of the condenser by conductors |60, |62, rheostat |63, resistory |65 to the cathode.' Therefore, coil |01 remains energized; 'the operating motion of the press is completed, `and the press remains closed until coil |01 is defenergize'd by leakage of the charge in condenser l66through resistors |31 and |65, and rheostat |63, until the grid potential has been' adjusted beyond the space current cutof point, but in the opposite` direction, so that plate current again begins to flow to the coil` |30, energizing said coil and returningarmature |38 to positionA. This opens the circuit to coil |01 and the press opens'.`

Therate of discharge of the condenser |66 is controlled by the position of the conducting arm |64 of the rheostat |63."When the arm is on point 2, the discharge rate isrcontrolled by the resistor |65 and in actual practice, this provides a pressing period of two seconds. On point. 3 the rate of discharge is governed by resistor |65 and the resistor section2 to, 3 of the rheostat. In positions 4, 5, etc., a vsection of resistance is added, in each case, to prolong the pressing period proportionately. .i

The conducting plate 43', as un'll be seenin Fig. 4, is completely insulated from the Vframe by insulating washers |51` and an insulating col-` lar |58, so that when-the metal Vlacing engages thefingers 45, va circuit is completed and' current must pass between the fingers and theconducting plate. f In` order to assure a uniform initial charge on thecondenser |66, the charging current for this condenser is rectifiedwin the tube |86 and the voltage is regulated by the tube |81. The primary of the transformer |84 is supplied with current from the lines L1 and Lz in the same manner asv |20 and |24 are supplied.

The numeral 19 designates the apron drive motor which, as shown in'Fig. 9, is connected directly to the three-phase alternating current power source L1, L2 and La under the control of a switch` 210 which is `also ahead of the control circuits just described.

One feature of the control not described above involves a switch |15. This switch isconnected betweenlthe conductors |40 and |60 and its purpose, when closed, is to short-circuit the ,cone

denser |66 to produce a rapid discharge and thereby permit opening of the press, if such is desired, before the operation is automatically terminated by the automatic control. When closed, the switch `|15 prevents energization of the solenoid '|01 because it short-circuits Ythe supplementarygrid circuit of the tube ||8 and also' pre;- vents charging ,of the condenser |66. Theapron-, however, continues. to `move and therefore "aj means is provided to `clearthe conveyor` system of any articles in the press. `Such anoperation would be desirable at the endof a lot so that all pieces contained, in that lot would be` cleared from the press before operation on the next ,lot was begun. Itis also desirable at the end of the days operation. In the normal automatic oper,- ation ofthe machine, this switch is open.

esistor |88 isprovided in series with switch |15 as a load for the power supply |85 when the switch |15 is closed. Its value, relative tothe other resistors in the circuit,is `small enough ,toprevent adverse effect in thepoperation `of the apparatus. V

In the `embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings the' apron is divided into four sections bythe metal lacing, that-vis to say. that there are fourof these lacing connections which constitute four controlpoints in the full length ofthe apron.` Of course, the apron construction might comprise acontinuous strip of material provided with fourconductors spaced like the metal lacing.' Inthe stopped position of the apron during` 'operai-,ioni of ithe"press,'one lof these will lie approximately at a= positionl |10 '(Fig. 1);; The trailing edge of.` thisonel has just passed the conducting point "43-45 and has initiated a press operation. The trailingedge` of the next one in the .i direction of ltravel of the apron, which is counter-clockwise, as viewed in' Fig. 1,-is at a point A|1|.

Each time the press operates, the next lacing in succession will initiate the next press operation, that is, the one then at position |13 will pass between the conducting plates and fingers 43 and 45 and will stop at the position |10, the one then at would take the position |1|, and the one at |1| Ywould take position |12, and so on. In this way, one section of the apron inthe idle position is always over the dressing table and the next section is between the buck and the chest.

Since the buck I8 is usually heated there is a. very definite heating effect by radiation from the lower surface of the buck. In the intermittent operation of the conveyor apron as described, the article or articles issuing from the ironing or pressing position, is carried around underneath the buck, and there pauses temporarily during the next succeeding pressing operation. The radiant heat from the lower buck surface is therefore eifective to produce an after-drying effeet which is immediately subsequent to the pressing operation. This removes the residual condensed moisture usually encountered at the end of a pressing operation, and also keeps the apron dry.

`While those skilled in the art are familiar with various means for heating either or both of the pressing members, I show in Figs. 1 and 3 conduit means |16 for conducting steam to the chest |6 and exible coupling means |11 for carrying steam from the same source to theglouck 8. The steam outlet or return is by wayof conduit |18 from the chest and'flexible coupling |19 from the buck.

Operation l In describing the operation of the press, it will be assumed that .the parts, as shown in all of the views,.are in a position that they normally occupy'at the `beginning of a days operation. At this time the' switch |15 is closed, ,having been put in that condition the night before when the press was cleared of all' articles1 vin the conveyor system'. VThe Yrheosta't V|63 is at zero and the switch1210 is open. Under these conditions, the control apparatus is as `shown in Fig. .9. To set the machine into operation, the operator closes the main switch Y21|). 'This .energizes the motor 'I9` and starts the apron in motion. It also energizes the tube circuits' which establishthe normal ybias on the tubes, the relays are energized and the armatures'l 38 and .|50 are lclosed being thereby moved to the position VA. 'I'his, of course, opens the circuit tothe solenoid |01 so that the buck remains in the lower position. The operator then sets the rheostat |63 to the position for the pressing time desired. For example, assume this is three seconds, thepconductor |64 is moved to terminal 3. The switch is then opened. When the next belt lacing 41 passes,v between the conducting members 43 and 45, the circuit to solenoid |01 is closed and consequent operation of servomotor 28 causes the buck to move toward the chest, and, since valve is thereupon perm-ittedvto close by spring actuation, the apron stopsa and pressure is applied. The operator then grasps an article'byone edge and applies it to the apron section on the table 38 with the remote edge beneath the clamping bar 53. She then depresses the pedal 64 bringing the cross bar 6| into engagement with the said rear edge. She thensmoothes on' the articleand removes her foot from the pedal, permitting the clamping bar to return.

We will nowf follow through an operation of the control mechanism ofY Figs.` 8 and 9 up to this point, directing attention tothe interaction between the electronic circuits and the fluid pressure circuits. When the belt lacingpassed between conductors 43 and 45, the supplementary grid biaswas established for the tube ||9 overbiasing the grid thereof Yblocking the ow of plate current and causing the armature |50 to move to position B. This established the supplementary grid circuit for tube ||8, blocking the ow of plate current to relay |30, completing a circuit to the coil |61, and simultaneously charging condenser |66. When the lacing 41 moved out of contact with the contacting elements, relay |43 was re-energized, armature |50 moving to position A, breaking-the supplementary grid circuit for tube H3, but leaving the condenser. |66 effective thereonand discharging, until nally by suflicient-discharge of said condenser, the grid potential for tube 8 was again adjusted tothe current conduction point, causing armature |38 to return to its A position, deenergizing coil |01 and permitting the press to open. When the buck wasraised intoV pressure engagement, the valve 35 was permitted to close, evacuating the diaphragm .chamber of the air clutch which caused the apron to stop. As the buck moved upwardly, the clearance space between yoke 22 and bar 30 was closed and the clamping bar 30 became effective to hold the drive ribbons.

The rate of discharge of the condenser in this case is controlled by the resistor |65 in conjunction with the resistor section 2 to 3 of the rheostat` |63, which produces a time period of three seconds.

As the buck approaches the press open position, the drive ribbonsare released by the clamping bar 30 andthe valve `35 is again opened, permitting thepassage of pressure uid to energize the diaphragm. of the'airclutch and thereby engage the clutch members to again connect the drive unless the foot pedal 64 is still .depressed by delay of the operator in arranging the next lay., in which case the clutch members will not engage-v until the foot pedal is released. As seen in Fig. 8 depression ofthe foot pedal allows valve 13 to be closed lto fluid pressure and opened to exhaust, and when the buck is in lowerposition thereby depressing stem 36 of valve l35, the clutch diaphragm is open to exhaust through valves 35 and 13. Release of foot pedal 64.causes valve 13 to be closed to exhaust and permits uid pressure through lines 4 and ||5 to again actuatethe clutch diaphragm. As the next metal lacing. moves .between the conducting plate 43 and the fingers '45, the above described cycle of operation is repeated.

If for any reason the dressing loperation had taken a longer time than was permitted by the automatic control, the buck would lower in the usual way under the control of the timer, but the apron would not continue its movement until the operator had released the pedal 64.

After completion .of the pressing operation the finished article is carried to the left (Fig. 1) and downwardly around curved plate 48, in which region `it is received between the lower run Aof apron `4cand the upper run of driving ribbons 34. By successive cycles of operation, each involving a controlled increment of apron advance as hereinabove described, the article progresses past roll 49 and thereafter'upwardly around roll 50 to the delivery and loading station above table I. operator prior to disposing a new article on the apron.

In the embodiment tiation of the operative cycle, beginning with a pressing operation, is effected by passage of one of the conductor elements 41 between contacts 43 and 45. As has been explained the elements 41 are preferably carried by the apron 46. A somewhat modified embodiment is shown in Fig. 10, which is a fragmentary plan view, somewhat enlarged, as seen from immediately above idler roll 50 whichA carries the apron immediately adjacent the operators position. In this exemplication an endless belt is movable in synchronism with, and preferably in the plane of, an apron 202.l For convenience the belt passes over the curved plate 48 and the spring plate 5I, and over the same respective sequence of rolls as'does the apron so that the belt and apron start, travel, and stop simultaneously. Conducting ele'- ments 203 are carried by the belt, instead of by the apron as in the embodiment heretofore described, and, as in that embodiment, elements 203 may also serve as belt lacing means although of course they may be conducting members integral with or carried by the belt.

`The contacting elements 43 and 45 (not shown in Fig. l0) in this embodiment are mounted laterally so as to 'maintain contact with the belt 20| instead of with the apron. `In this embodiment, therefore, the work carrying apron may be of conventional construction, permitting immediate replacement from standard stock.

When the control is initiated from a belt of this nature the belt may, if desired, be supported and driven by a plurality of pulleys or rolls, in part the apron provided of course that the belt and apron drives are properly synchronized to permit the controlled operative cycle hereinabove described in detail. i

What I claim is:

1. A fabric pressing apparatus comprising coacting pressing elements, an endless, movable Work-carrying apron having a portion thereof positioned between said pressing elements, driving means for said apron, power means for producing relative movement between said press ing elements whereby they engage said apron in pressing relationship, electrical circuit means for initiating and terminating operation of said power means, means operated in timed relation with movement of said apron` for actuating said circuit means periodically to initiate operation of said power meanswhereby said elements periodically assumepressing relationship, and automatic electric timing means, in operative relationship with said circuit actuating means, for actuating the same to deenergize and terminate operation of said power means after a pressing period of preset length wherebyl said pressing elements separate, and terminate pressing relationship.

l 2. A fabric pressing apparatus comprising coacting pressing elements, an endless, movable work-carrying apronconsisting of a plurality of segments united by electrical current conducting material, said apron having a portion thereof positioned between `said pressing elements, driving means forsaid apron, power means for producing relative movement between said pressing elements` whereby Athey engage said apron in pressing4 relationship, electrical circuit means for The article at this point is removed by the so far discussed, the inior completely distinct from those carrying power means, said circuit initiating and terminating operation of said means including a pair of'contact members in slidable engagement with said apron whereby passage of said current conducting portions of said apron across said contact members periodically completes said circuit means and energizes said power means to cause the pressing elements to approach and assume pressing relationship, and automatic electronic timing means in operative association with said contact members for actuating said circuit means to deenergize and terminate operation of said power means after a pressing period of preset length, whereby said pressing elements separate, and terminate said pressing relationship.`

3. A fabric pressing apparatus comprising coacting pressing elements, an endless, movable work-carrying apron having a portion thereof positioned between said pressing elements, driving means for said apron including an endless ribbon movable from a powered source, said apron being in frictional Contact with said ribbon over a portion of their `respective paths of travel whereby said ,apronV is movable concurrently with said ribbon solely through said frictional contact, means responsive to apron movement for moving one of the pressing elements into and out of pressing engagement with the other, and means responsive to motion .of said movable pressing element for alternately instituting and interrupting operative connection between said endless ribbon and said powered source.

4. A fabric pressing apparatus comprising coacting pressing elements, 4au endless, movable work-carrying apron,A having a portion thereof positioned between said pressing elements, driving means for saidapron including an endless ribbon movable from a powered source, said apron being in frictional Contact withV said ribbon over a portion of theirv respective paths of travel whereby said apron is movable concurrently withV said ribbon solely through said frictional contact,` 'means responsive to apron movement for moving one of the pressing elements into and out of pressing engagement with the other, and means responsive to motion of said movable pressing element for rendering said endless ribbon drive inoperative while said pressing elements are in pressing engagement.

5. A fabric pressing apparatus comprising coacting pressing elements, an endless, movable work-carrying apron having a portion thereof positioned between said pressing elements, driving means for said apron including anendless ribbon movable from a powered source, said apron being in frictional contact with said ribbon over a portion of their respective paths of travel whereby said apron is movable concurrently with said ribbon solely through `said frictional contact, means for they other, meansresponsive to motion oflsaid movable pressing element for rendering said endless ribbondrive inoperative while said pressing elements are in pressing engagement, and clamping means, operativelyassociated with said mov-` able pressing element, for gripping said driving ribbon during pressing engagement to further prevent motion of said ribbon during said pressing engagement.

6. A fabric pressing apparatus comprising a dressing table obliquely inclined towards anoperators station, a pair of cooperating pressing elementsin juxtaposition to the `edge of said table remote from saidoperators station, an endless,

i moving one` of the pressing elefl ments into and out of pressing engagement withwork-carrying apron movable in a closed path and having the upper thereof movable from a ,dressing position above said table `to a pressing position between said pressing elements, and spring impelled backing means in contact with the under surface of said apron above said table to maintain said apron in taut condition.

7. A fabric pressing apparatus comprising a dressing table obliquely inclined towards an operators station, a pair of cooperating pressing elements in juxtaposition to the edge of said table remote from said operators station, an endless, work-carrying apron movable in a closed path and having the upper run thereof movable from a dressing position above said table to a pressing position between said pressing elements, spring impelled backing means in contact `with the under surface of said apron above said table to maintain said apron in taut condition, driving means for .advancing said apron along said path, means responsive to apron movement for moving one of the pressing elem-ents into and out of pressing engagement with the other, and means responsive to motion of said movable pressing element for rendering said driving means inoperative while said pressing elementsare in pressing engagement.

8. A fabric pressing apparatus comprising a dressing table downwardly inclined towards an operators station, a pair of cooperating pressing elements in` juxtaposition to the edge of said table remote from said operators station, an endless work supporting apron movable in a closed path from a dressing position above said table to a pressing position between said pressing elements, clamping means for holding articles to be pressed on the dressing portion of said apron during the dressing operation, driving means for imparting motion to said apron, and means responsive to the movement of said clamping means for deenergizing said driving means while said clamping means is in article-clamping position.

9. A fabric pressing apparatus comprising a dressing table downwardly inclined towards an operators station, a pair of cooperating pressing elements in juxtaposition to the edge of said table remote Vfrom said operators station, an endless work supporting apron movable in a closed path from a dressing position above said table to a pressing position between said pressing elements, clamping means for holding articles to be pressed on the dressing portion of said apron during the dressing operation, driving means for said apron, power means for producing relative convergent and divergent movement of said pressing elements with relation to each other and to said apron, means operatively associated with said clamping means for rendering said apron driving means inoperative during the dressing operation, electrical circuit means for initiating and terminating operation of said power means, means ,carried by said apron for actuating said circuit means during movement of said apron whereby said pressing elements periodically converge into pressing relationship, automatic electronic timing means in operative relationship With said circuit actuating means for operating the same to deenergize and terminate the operation of said power means after a pressing period of preset length, whereby said pressing elements diverge from pressing relationship, `and means for suspending operation of said apron driving means during the period when said pressing elements are in engagement with said apron.

10. A fabric pressing apparatus comprising coacting pressing elements, an endless, movable work-carrying apron havinga portion thereof positioned between said pressing elements, endless b'elt means movable in the plane of, and in synchronism with, said apron, driving means for simultaneously moving said -belt and said apron, power means for producing relative convergent and divergent movement of said pressing elements with-relation to each other and to said apron, electrical circuit means for initiating operation of said power means, means carried by said belt means for actuating said circuit means during movement of said apron whereby said elements converge periodically into pressing relationship, and automatic electronic timing means in operative relationship with said actuating means for deenergizing said power means after a pressing period of preset length, whereby said pressing elements diverge from pressing relationship, and means for `suspending operation of said ,apron driving means during the period when said pressing elements are in operative engagement.

l1. Fabric pressing apparatus, comprising relatively movable pressing members, operating means therefor, an endless movable work carrying apron having a portion traveling between said pressing members, driving means therefor, actuating means for causing operation of said operating means, control means operated by and synchronously with apron travel and effective upon said actuating means to cause operation of said operating means to close the press, and separate timing means whose operation is initiated by and synchronously with apron travel and effective upon said actuating means to open the press after the lapse of a predetermined time delay period.

l2. Fabric pressing apparatus of the character described in claim 11, in which said timing means is adjustable to vary the time delay period.

13. Fabric pressing apparatus, comprising relatively movable pressing members normally biased toward open position, an endless, movable work carrying apron having `a portion positioned between said pressing members, driving means for said apron, power means arranged when operated to overcome said bias and close the pressing members upon the apron and the work carried thereby, electric circuit means for initiating and terminating operation of said power means, means operated synchronously with apron travel for controlling said circuit means to cause initiation of operation of the power -means and thereby close the press, and automatic electric timing means operatively related to said circuit means for causing the same to terminate operation of the power mined time delay period, members separate 4and the pressing operation is terminated.

14. Fabric pressing apparatus of the character described in claim 13, in which said timing means is adjustable to vary the time delay period.

15. Fabric pressing apparatus, comprising relatively movable pressing members, operating means therefor, an endless movable work car-rying apron having a portion traveling between said pressing members, driving vmeans therefor, said apron being provided at regular intervals with control members formed of current conducting material, electric circuit actuating means for -complete a circuit of said circuit means when engaged by one of said control members, thereby causing operation of said operating means to close the press, and timing means also effective upon said actuating means to cause operation of said operating means to open the press after the lapse of a predetermined time delay period.

16. Fabric pressing apparatus, comprising relatively movable pressing members, operating means therefor, an endless movable work carrying apron having a portion traveling between said pressing members, driving means therefor, actuating means for causing operation of said operating means, means operated synchronously with apron travel and effective upon said actuating means to cause operation of said operating means to close the press, timing means also effective upon said actuating means to cause operation of said operating means to open the press after the lapse of a predetermined time delay period, work clamping means, operator-operated means for actuating said clamping means, and means controlled thereby for suspending operation cf said apron driving means while the clamping means is effective.

17. Fabric pressing apparatus, comprising relatively movable pressing members normally biased 5 toward open position, an endless, movable work carrying apron having a portion positioned be`- tween said pressing members, driving means for said apron, power means arranged when operated to overcome said bias and close the pressing 10 members upon the apron and the work carried thereby, electric circuit means for initiating and terminating operation of said power means, means operated synchronously with apron travel for controlling said circuit means to cause initia- 15 tion of operation of the power means and thereby close the press, automatic electric timing means operatively related to said circuit means for causing the same to terminate operation of the power means after the lapse of a predeter- 0 mined time delay period, whereby the pressing members separate and the pressing operation is terminated, work clamping means, operator-operated means for actuating said clamping means, and means controlled thereby for suspending op- 5 eration of said apron driving means while the clamping means is eiective.

JOHN E. PRESTON. 

